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"It is incomparable" - Peter Sagan dismisses comparison between his own success and Tadej Pogacar's

Cycling
by Kieran Wood
Saturday, 19 October 2024 at 09:24
Sagan Peter Giro2020S10
It's not hyperbolic to class Peter Sagan as a modern day cycling legend. A record seven Tour de France Green Jerseys, three World Championship titles, 18 Grand Tour stages and a pair of monuments, not many riders have had more success in the peloton than the Slovakian.
With his professional career now at an end though, Sagan has watched the emergence of the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar, first through competing alongside them and now as a fan on TV, and according to the 34-year-old former BORA - hansgrohe and TotalEnergies star, the level of today's stars compared to his own peak is simply incomparable.

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"You can't compare today's cycling with cycling from five, ten or fifteen years ago. You're only talking about something we'll never know. I'm not riding against them now, I was only competing against them when I was already later in my career," explains Sagan in conversation with the Cyclist Magazine Podcast. "Cycling has changed so much in recent years that it is incomparable. It is like comparing the sport to the time of Eddy Merckx. We can talk about it, but it will never end. We will never find out."
As mentioned, Sagan still follows the sport and like many, has been blown away by the success of Pogacar in particular, over the course of the 2024 season. "I certainly still enjoy watching races like the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. And also some stages of the Tour de France or Vuelta a Espana," Sagan says. "He (Pogacar ed.) is strong everywhere. He might even do Paris-Roubaix in the future. What he has already won is very special in this day and age of cycling. In my time, people also said that I could become a classification rider, but in my head and heart I didn't want that at all."
After a recent health scare put an end to his hopes of competing in the mountain bike at the Olympics, Sagan is also now taking things a bit 'easier' in retirement. "No, I certainly can't do the wattages I used to. I do a lot of different activities, like hiking, gym or water sports," he concludes. "I still ride the bike, but I have to say that I am definitely not in the shape I was as a pro. I love riding with people or on an online platform, but it is very different from what it was before."

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12 Comments
pporter 19 October 2024 at 14:20+ 5

Sagan made cycling cool, he was a rockstar. Pity he didn't have the competition like there is now. No one would ride with him in a breakaway. Mvdp wva tp would ride with him, as they would all think they could beat him if the tempo was hard
He will be an underrated cyclist, but Bora would not exist without him

Veganpotter 19 October 2024 at 11:41+ 606

A bit too diplomatic. They're obviously very different riders. But Tadej could retire today and still be ranked above Sagan all time. Putting Sagan top 5 all-time as a rider in a general sense is already a stretch. Certainly top 10 though.

Mistermaumau 18 October 2024 at 08:12+ 3540

Well said

mij 19 October 2024 at 04:40+ 818

One word for Peter: GRAVEL
All the ex pros seem to be doing it. It’s something he would be great at and I think enjoy. It would bring joy back to his riding maybe.
He seemed so jaded and done with the scene at the end of his career.

Veganpotter 20 October 2024 at 01:21+ 606

He doesn't seem remotely interested in taking anything seriously which is totally ok.

mij 18 October 2024 at 05:12+ 818

agreed, which is why gravel is perfect for him. I heard some of the guys in worlds got dropped so the hit the pubs instead of finishing the race. perfect for Peter. he would have so much fun with the fan interaction too.
frankly he doesn't seem to be remotely interested in cycling, which is sad.

Mistermaumau 20 October 2024 at 21:17+ 3540

Long ago I owned a bar for only 2 years, am not remotely interested in alcohol or the behaviour that results from it anymore. Life does such things to you.

mij 19 October 2024 at 04:41+ 818

and as a teen, my mom worked in a bakery, and hates baked goods. I get it. he is just such a great personality and fun to watch. cycling is more fun with him in the sport.

Mistermaumau 19 October 2024 at 04:41+ 3540

Yes, cyclists are not the most entertaining characters but at least the more « human » ones stand out easily then

mij 19 October 2024 at 09:34+ 818

I did a charity ride with him during his WC heyday. It was so fun. He was a joy. He seemed to have lost it which sucks as it was just a blast to watch on the bike. He made it fun. He made guys like Tadej possible TBH. I’d love to see more of him and gravel hits that vibe

awp 18 October 2024 at 15:56+ 1215

He's been racing gravel and on the MTB bike for almost three years. Not sure how serious he is though.

acem82 20 October 2024 at 21:18+ 555

He has A-fib, and from family experience, it's not just scary. Even if you are cleared to train, you've lost something like 10% of your power.
It almost turns pros into us "normies"!

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